New Doctor Who: BBC set to unveil who will replace Matt Smith | Daily Mail Online Find out who's Who on Sunday: BBC set to unveil who will replace Matt Smith as the new Doctor New Doctor Who set to be unveiled during a ground-breaking live episode Their identity is being kept a secret using the codename 'Houdini' Speculation is rife the new Doctor could be a woman for the first time Dame Helen Mirren and comedienne Miranda Hart are both in the running The Thick of It star Peter Capaldi has also been touted for the role ‘Doctor Who’: Why Matt Smith Needed To Leave - Hollywood Life ‘Doctor Who’: Why Matt Smith Needed… ‘Doctor Who’: Why Matt Smith Needed To Leave Thu, December 26, 2013 10:32am EST by Shaunna Murphy 166 Comments Courtesy Of BBC One 15 Photos Spoilers, sweetie: I absolutely adore Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor. In fact, I think he was one of the best Doctors to ever Doctor this madcap universe. However, ‘The Time of the Doctor’ was right — it was Matt’s time to go, and the show will be better with Peter Capaldi’s fresh new face (and kidneys).

Here’s why. It’s a sad truth, fellow Whovians, but it’s a truth nonetheless. The new “rule number one” is that Steven Moffat will not leave Doctor Who until we drag him, kicking and screaming — so in his stead, it’s high time we got on board with losing Matt Smith instead. Why Matt Smith Had To Go “I will not forget one line of this, not one day, I swear. I will always remember when The Doctor was me.” ‘Doctor Who: Time Of The Doctor’ Recap: Goodbye, Matt Smith I feel awful even saying some of this, because I adore that Raggedy Man with the rocket fin ears like he’s fish fingers and custard. Matt didn’t need to go because of anything he did — Eleven was a funny, whimsical, smart, empathetic, and ferocious maniac of a Doctor. Eleven was a fun Doctor. Eleven was a Doctor who did the impossible in taking the reins from the astonishing David Tennant and creating something completely new and never disappointing.

Ten’s was a big loss, and Eleven didn’t just put a band-aid over that wound, he did an emotional triple bypass and closed it up with a Sonic Screwdriver like it was never even there. And we love him for that! We should! We had a couple of fun (if occasionally flawed) years with Eleven, Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill), until something terrible happened — the show just lost steam. The Ponds left, Clara (Jenna Coleman) came in, and time just got stuck. It’s like Moffat just ran out of ways to write interesting stories… for Eleven. He reverted to several of the old, eye-rolling sexist ’70s companion tropes with Clara, and the episodics in Series 7 (“The Rings of Akhaten” anyone?) were painfully uninspired. Again, it had literally nothing to do with Matt — he still sold the s**t out of every line (and amazingly, his best speech ever was from “Akhaten”) and played off the underdeveloped Clara the best he could.

But the story lines had grown stale and, due to the poor writing quality, Eleven’s relationship with Clara never quite blossomed like the one he had with Amy. Also, River kept popping up with little to say or do, and the whole “Impossible Girl” thing fell flatter than Cassandra’s face. Yes, my friends — sad is it may be, the end of Series 7 made it clear that the time of the Doctor — this Doctor — was nigh. Why Capaldi (And His Eyes) Bring New Hope If Doctor Who had cast another young, dashing Doctor to pair with Jenna for the new series, I would have been furious. Having three consecutively younger Doctors — with one of them looking like David Freaking Tennant — was great, and a welcome change for the new series after the post-Baker era of silly, foppish, far too “alien” men. Peter Capaldi: 5 Things To Know About The New ‘Doctor Who’ But eventually, Moffat got stuff in the sexual-ish chemistry aspects of Doctor-companion relations, which got old fast. When Ten clicked with Rose, it was thrilling. When Martha then followed up and pined after him, it was awful — so our Lord Russell T.

Davies expertly switched things up by casting the “older” and generally hilarious Catherine Tate as Donna Noble; a permanently friendly foil instead of a romantic one. Then Moffat took over, and even though Amy and the Doctor were never actually romantic, he did rely on sexist tropes for Ms. Pond all the freaking time. (All she could be — our genius, fiery, wonderfully adventurous Amy — was a kiss cop and a model? Really?) Clara was supposed to be our breath of fresh air after the tragic death of the Ponds, but so far, things have only gotten worse. Yes she’s smart, funny, beautiful, and ultimately extremely capable — but Moffat never created a solid, believable relationship between Clara and the Doctor. The Doctor was interested in Clara as an entity — she was the “Impossible Girl” after all — but she didn’t bring a sense of wonderment and joy to his life like Amelia Pond did. So instead she became Martha Jones — a smart and beautiful woman who wasted her time lusting after the Doctor instead of adventure.

The world needs companions who love life, love, and adventure, not cute girls in “short skirts” (don’t get me started on that) who pass the Sonic screwdriver whenever the Doctor can’t reach it. And I think, with Peter Capaldi, Clara can become that companion. (Jenna Coleman is a lovely actor, after all.) The show has been relying on mild (or major, with Rose) sexual tension between Doctors and companions for years now, and now Clara will get the chance to begin a type of relationship we haven’t seen in ages — the father/daughter, teacher/mentor relationship that should inspire new ideas and better writing for Series 8. Aren’t you ready for a Doctor who brings Clara out of her shell the way Ten freed Donna Noble? For the sexist comments on female attire to end? For a woman who doesn’t spend her time lusting after a man she cannot have, because he isn’t a man at all? For her to embrace her wild and free (if often tragic) life instead? Maybe I’m being too optimistic when it comes to Moffat, but I’m predicting a new Doctor/fresh burst of inspiration scenario playing out, here. And I can’t wait to see it.

Raggedy Man, goodnight. What do you think, Whovian HollywoodLifers? Do you think that Moffat will write better stories for Twelve and Clara? Are you excited for the era of Capaldi? Do you hate me for saying Matt’s departure is a good thing? If you do, please be nice. We Whovians are a damn family, after all. — Shaunna Murphy Mark Posted at 12:16 AM on September 28, 2016 This article needs revision in light of the brilliant Series 9 of Doctor Who. Face the Raven, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent are easily the best episodes Moffat has created and the chemistry between Capaldi and Coleman is brilliant. Capaldi’s doctor is genius, a 2000+ yr old time lord who has finally (in some part) forgiven himself for the time war and “grown up”.

Capaldi nails it perfectly and when it finally dawns at end of Season 9 that he fights for 4.5 billion years for his companion all others seasons pale in comparison Who fan in who'sville Posted at 10:10 PM on December 29, 2015 I just started watching this series 2 or 3 days ago when a bunch of back to back episodes we played for 24 hours or so. I started recording the series, and am now hooked. So far, I like the acting done by Matt Smith, I think he makes a fine lead role. I was a bit upset when the ponds left, but actors and actresses often move on to other roles, so they don’t get dead-ended. I like the way that the series can continue on because of the different incarnations of the lead character. I haven’t seen any of the other incarnations, but will definitely catch up on prior seasons via Amazon or BBC. Matt Smith must have been a good actor/incarnation to get me “hooked” enough on a series like this, good enough for me to want to see other shows.

I am sure I will miss him when I see him in his final episode; I wish him well in whatever direction his acting career takes him. I hope the other seasons I watch will be just as entertaining. The Loyal Companion Posted at 9:21 PM on December 29, 2015 I agree almost completely with this article. Save one thing: Jenna Coleman. Yes, she’s cute and she was interesting when she was a mystery but now that we’ve figured her out there’s nothing left. I was hoping she’d end up with Pink and the doctor could move on to someone that had something to offer. Capaldi has a lot of potential but we have to say goodbye to Clara before he can grasp the part full throttle. I’d like to add that some of these comments are repugnant. How dare you call yourself a fan of the series if you are going to up and quit because you don’t like an actor? There have been some out there doctors, if you recall the first doctor was quite old. This show is not about SEX and if you can’t adapt to the ever changing cast and plot line then you don’t deserve the privilege of a 50 year old and counting series.

David was my doctor, but I am not just a 10 fangirl. I reluctantly accepted his departure and moved on. That is what you do with Who. Debra Posted at 10:11 PM on December 29, 2015 I’m sorry. I didn’t know there was a prerequisite criteria to watching the show or that the show had its own self-aggrandized judge who could or couldn’t be a fan. What better reason not to watch a show than you don’t like the actor in the role? That’s the reason big named actors are paid the big bucks because they are well received and well liked. Oh, yeah, and there is the talent aspect. It is my humble opinion that Capaldi has none. After literally suffering through the first two horrific episodes with him, I gave up. He just is not appealing to me. Having said that, I realize that no two people have the same taste, and I am glad you like him. But do you really think it’s fair to try and force your personal tastes on everyone else? We can agree to disagree, and I can pray for a hasty demise to this Doctor.

The Loyal Companion Posted at 6:13 PM on December 30, 2015 I am not attempting to force anything on anyone, but this is how I see it. When I first saw David’s doctor regenerate into Matt Smith I couldn’t have been more disappointed. The whole “geronimo” catch phrase was and still is ridiculous to me. I didn’t watch Who for about a month after trying out a few episodes. Then I came across a girl who said you can’t say you hate Matt and give up on the whole show because you just don’t know where he went with the role and how the storyline progressed. So I opened my mind and now I can say I am not the biggest fan of Matt Smith but I trust Moffat and the story has been brilliant. He grew on me. I am ashamed of myself for nearly giving up on a fantastic character and his timeless adventures because of a knee jerk reaction to change. It didn’t go the way I wanted but I’m glad for it. I don’t necessarily like Capaldi yet but I have hope for his progression with this role. The essence of Who is to follow the character, not the man reciting the lines.

If you skip vital storyline to get to the next actor you think is good – or give up entirely – you just don’t really care much about the show itself. Sorry Amy Posted at 3:11 AM on November 14, 2015 After watching David i thought there’s no way in hell I would fall in love with another doctor until matt hit the screen. He was fun! Played the part soooo darn good. I cants wrap my head around Peter being the doctor. Need to find another doctor like David or matt.!! susan Posted at 8:49 AM on October 10, 2015 My heart is broken. I never got over the Ponds leaving and certainly not Matt Smith leaving. I actually met Rory “Pond” in person. What a sweetheart! Clara is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. Peter Capaldi is too old — even though he is not actually old in age at all. Go figure. The writing is horrible. Peter and Jenna are horrible together. Jenna is horrible with any doctor. This is the first time that I have NOT watched each episode a second time. It is too dark. Too serious.

Even the filming itself is too dark. I no longer watch it now. It is no longer Doctor Who. It is now Doctor Who’s that?? What a pity to ruin such a famous show. Miah Posted at 2:02 PM on July 22, 2015 i loved Matt smith! I also loved David…. But capaldi didn’t hook me at all. He is a great actor just not in this role! Season 8 was all focused around Clara. And bringing in the master was just very confusing all on its own. I hate to say it but I think we need Clara to leave, capaldi have a few episodes on his own,…… Then sadly I have to say that we need a new doctor. We need a fresh new look on everything! I would say a younger doctor because everyone loved 9-11 but there are a lot of people who didn’t click with capaldi me being one of them.. I personally think they should put a young girl/boy to become the “companion” therefore no flirtatious behavior will be questioned and the doctor can take on the role of a “father figure” or a “role model” that’s what this show needs!!!

Drew Posted at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2015 Honestly I feel like Matt Smith was one of the worst doctors… To be fair tho I haven’t really watched the old ones either tho… Not for a lack of trying tho… But with the 9th doctor (Christopher Eccleston) he was goofy yet when he got serious you could take him seriously… Same thing with the 10th doctor (David Tennant)… But with Matt Smith the amount that he talked him always being silly… When he was “serious” I couldn’t take him seriously… And the 8th season’s writing was terrible but I feel like Peter Capaldi is a good doctor my list for favorite doctors of the reboot is David Tennant L. B. Harlington Posted at 5:28 AM on March 3, 2015 I strongly dislike Capaldi’s doctor, though it is only partially his own fault. While i feel Capaldi’s acting tends to lack emotion, the biggest issue is Moffat’s writing skills.

His and Gatiss’ adaptation of Sherlock is very well written, but he should never have cast an older man as there Doctor if he continues to write the part as if it is being portrayad by a twenty-something year old. Capaldi tries very hard to keep up the façade that he can act like a young guy, but it is showing that it takes him a lot of effort to do so, which weakens his performance more than it benefits hij. Dawn Posted at 9:05 AM on July 6, 2015 i agree with this comment I think its time for clara to go. if this new doctor is to take command then he needs some espisodes on his own so we can get to know him, clara is too overpowering and if she says clever boy one more time I will scream. never liked her character as much as amy pond and rory (reminders of the last Scotsman and girl that accompanied the doctor so long ago.

this older new doctor needs to step up his acting has to be more not less he has big shoes to follow perhaps more along the line of the first doctor a little bossy and maybe impatient and his voice needs work its hard to understand him and the camera is always on clara (we think there is something going on with the cameraman because when the doctor is talking its always on her (boring) S.M. Cronas Posted at 10:51 PM on March 2, 2015 Nah. I live in the states too, and my Dad was a Scots-Irish-Cornish descent, and there’s nothing wrong with Capaldi’s mouth. I’m 20 years his senior, and I think he’s given us a wonderful, complicated, difficult alien Doctor Who, the Doctor I’ve been pining for throughout all the flirty clowning and grandiloquence of #’s 10 and 11. And Moffat, concentrating on character development rather than plot as this new/old Doctor dashed about figuring out who and what he was not as well as who he was, did a great job, with several eps as good as anything in DW ever. The writing has not “gone down”.

It has risen to meet the talent of a brilliant actor particularly suited to the part, and a companion, Clara, suddenly becoming real and significant before our eyes. If you couldn’t see that, I’m really sorry — you’ve missed a wonderful season. Maybe next time . . . ? Yoruno Posted at 3:58 AM on January 29, 2015 I like Capaldi. The problem is that Moffat is still here, and he continues writing Capaldi’s Doctor as if he were Matt Smith. No mentor-disciple relationship again, because Clara is still the bossy one, feeling free to slap the Doctor whenever she wants. I don’t think I’d be able to slap a person who looks 30 years older than you (and who is, in fact, centuries older). Additionally, after Smith is gone, I see some irritation creeping into Clara’s attitude. We have the new Doctor, now we desperately need a new companion, but, above all, a new writer please. S.M. Cronas Posted at 10:55 PM on March 2, 2015 Nope.

The new Doc knows he’s way out of his depth *for the time being*, and he relies on Clara for cues to reasonable behavior and attitudes. That’s his choice, and not a dumb one, given a humdinger of a post-regen confusion hangover. Also, she’s still the person who jumped into his timeline last season to go around saving his life — so he trusts her, gives her lots of leeway, and loves her with the unshakable acceptance that people give to siblings they grew up loving and who they will always love come what may. Clara will work her way out of the series during season 9; ’til then, I’m eager to see how their relationship (much more complex and real-world than all that flirty nonsense with 11) will develop. j Posted at 2:44 PM on April 2, 2015 I don’t think he loves Clara like a sibling. His affection for her is MUCH deeper than that. Watch Mummy in The Orient Express and Last Christmas.

MelodyPond Posted at 3:16 AM on January 17, 2015 I absolutley Love the acting skills of David Tennat and Matt Smith.I hated Matt Smith for a while and then in warmed up to him.I’m not going through that stage of crisis again like I did when they replaced David Tennant with Matt Smith!! It’s horrible! Peter Capaldi does’nt work as the “New Doctor” in my opinion! I think a doctor who season should have romance and not an old guy in it! Like really!? Don’t you think we have had enough old doctors for 50 years!? Honestly..My opinion only and maybe yours to.-Melody Andrew Posted at 6:25 PM on March 9, 2015 THANK YOU!!!! Melody you must be a tween to late teen years… The first doctors had little to know romance in them at all… In fact like the person above me commented one of the best seasons was with David Tennant and Catherine Tate!!!

The romance just confuses the character development and takes the focus away from the adventures pjamese3 Posted at 11:07 AM on December 30, 2014 I do appreciate the different actors who’ve played the Doctor. I found Tennant’s dramatic take to be perfect and I greatly enjoyed Smith’s wildness (which I interpreted as the 1st Doctor reborn into a young body. You can’t help but compare the actors who play the character, though. It’s human nature. Just like Bond, Superman, Batman, Holmes, etc… We all have our favorites. jodybie Posted at 5:37 AM on November 26, 2014 I really loved Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor. The other Doctors were all charming in their own way, but Matt hit it out of the park, the perfect mix of childlike innocent and madcap ancient professor. I just can’t seem to warm up to Peter Capaldi. The writing either isn’t as good as before or he’s not very good at delivering the lines. Since I don’t have cable and don’t get the BBC channel, I bought the first Capaldin episode through my Roku box.

I watched twice but it just really didn’t grab me so I didn’t buy any more. I hope it’s gotten better. CasualObserver Posted at 12:05 PM on December 4, 2014 Maybe it’s being from the southern part of the United States, but to me Capaldi talks like he has marbles in his mouth. I cannot understand him. He doesn’t show much emotion. His face is ruddy and his eyes are bloodshot most of the time. I tried to watch three different episodes and just couldn’t get into it. And my nine year old Dr. Who fanatic nephew is just heartbroken. pjamese3 Posted at 8:28 PM on December 4, 2014 Well, I’m from Texas and I don’t have any problem understanding him. He does have a strong Scottish accent, but I’ve watched a lot of BBC America so he’s understandable. I like the actor. He’s been great in previous roles and I like the idea of a prickly, not so likeable Doctor who we get to know and actually like later into the series.

mec Posted at 12:56 AM on December 30, 2014 I do wish fans would quit comparing Smith with Tennant and just appreciate the performances of BOTH actors. Rick Posted at 11:57 PM on October 8, 2014 Peter Capaldi is very good. And I like his wit. No more waving the sonic screw driver like it’s a wand. Matt was good but got boring towards the end. Clara, although she is very talented, never seemed to fit into the role as companion. Something just did not work with her character. Will be forgotten very quickly. As for the next companion? How about an episode where the doctor saves a young girl’s life as she is kidnapped from a foster home about to be sold as a slave. Something shocking like that where the doctor becomes her only hope at rebuilding her life as she travels with him. Perhaps tracking down her parents, who were forced to give her up. And learning about universe on the way?

Something shocking that will touch the heart of viewers everywhere… Trace Posted at 6:27 PM on September 16, 2014 Haven’t read all the comments, but has anyone mentioned that the Ponds *did not die* but were displaced back in time beyond the Doctor’s reach by the Weeping Angels? And that they actually ended up living out a very happy life together through most of the 20th century? Okay, now that that’s out of my system — can I say I’m really, really surprised by this outright ageist discussion over Peter Capaldi being in his mid-fifties. Brad Pitt is 50-yrs-old-going-on-51 for Pete’s sake and I would wager no one’s calling him ‘old’. Just because you’re a person of a certain age doesn’t mean sex appeal goes out the window. Even though Capaldi is older than Smith, my goodness, he’s got something going on there with those blue, blue eyes. One of my problems with Matt Smith as the Doctor was that he exhibited not a smidgen of sex appeal (for my tastes – not saying he doesn’t turn on anybody else).

Capaldi has a sneaky sex appeal — and wow, his Doctor costume is the ‘coolest’ I’ve seen since Nine walked out of the TARDIS. So, yes, this lady Whovian is quite happy with his casting as Twelve. Woot! Debra Posted at 8:07 PM on September 16, 2014 Capaldi has the sex appeal of a lamp. First of all, Brad Pitt may be 50 but he’s very good looking. Capaldi is not. Capaldi’s “blue, blue” eyes are always bloodshot. His complexion is ruddy. It makes me wonder if he drinks. But more than all of that, HE CANNOT ACT. He talks like he has marbles in his mouth. I offered to buy season eight episodes for my 9 year old niece. He watched 20 minutes of the first episode and lost interest. I didn’t make it that far. Dr. Who has gone from my favorite show to a non show for me. I’ll miss it.

New Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi to replace Matt Smith as the twelfth Doctor | Radio Times Twitter New Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi to replace Matt Smith as the twelfth Doctor Following months of speculation, a live BBC1 programme has unveiled the Thick of It star as the latest incarnation of the Time Lord Comments 7:25 PM, 04 August 2013 Peter Capaldi is the twelfth Doctor. After months of feverish speculation, the actor, best known to viewers as the star of The Thick of It, was unveiled as Matt Smith’s replacement during a live BBC1 programme this evening. "It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer!" the self-confessed "lifelong Doctor Who fan" told the studio audience (and viewers at home). "You look in the mirror and suddenly, strangely, [the Doctor] is looking back. And he’s not me yet but he’s reaching out. And hopefully we’ll get it together..." In a recorded interview prior to the big reveal, Smith said of his sucessor "If I was gonna pick someone... I'd pick him... "If I had to give him a message, I'd say 'You're gonna have to work hard, buddy'.

"I'm excited because I know what's coming and he's gonna have a blast." On leaving the role, Smith added: "It's the greatest year in show's history and I'm passing it on to the next with a smile... It's been great, man. It's a really cool job. It'll be hard to top." The incumbent Time Lord was among the guests on tonight’s show – Doctor Who Live: The Twelfth Doctor – who also included fifth Doctor Peter Davison, fellow Who alumnus Bernard Cribbins and celebrity fans Daniel Roache, Rufus Hound and Liza Tarbuck. There were contributions, too, from Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, and former companions Anneke Wills, who played Polly, Katy Manning, aka Jo Grant, Janet Fielding, who was Tegan, and Bonnie Langford, known to fans as Mel. Smith, who has played the Doctor for four years announced in June that he is to leave the role at the end of the year. He will bow out – regenerating into Capaldi’s twelfth Doctor – at the end of the Christmas special, after starring in the much anticipated 50th anniversary special on 23 November.

‘Doctor Who’: Peter Capaldi Revealed as Twelfth Doctor – What Do You Think? ‘Doctor Who’: Peter Capaldi Revealed as Twelfth Doctor – What Do You Think? Share Comment A new Doctor has been found and, now, has finally been revealed. After much speculation as to who would replace Matt Smith in the iconic role, famed Scottish actor Peter Capaldi was revealed on Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor as the next actor to become the Doctor. Should fans be excited to have an older Doctor? Capaldi, who starred in the spin-off series’ Torchwood: Children of Earth , was actually on the short list of actors many thought might fill the role. In the UK, he’s most famously known as the star of the long-running comedy series The Thick of It, which is in the vein of HBO’s Veep. Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurtiwtz was at one time enlisted to create an American adaptation. Of course, fans aren’t likely going to have issue with a well-known comedic actor stepping in to the legendary role; it’ll likely be his age. Capaldi, who is 55, isn’t the oldest actor the play the Doctor but… not by much.

William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor at age 55, is still the oldest actor to play the character, besting Capaldi by just a few months. But will the switch from Matt Smith, the youngest actor to play the role, to Capaldi appease the series’ ever growing fanbase? Although a few might think it’s odd to have an older actor step in to the role of the Doctor – especially with its young audience – there are more than enough reasons to be excited about what’s to come, and what Capaldi can bring to the role. With the younger Smith, grand adventures of exploration is what best fits the character. Sure, Smith can deliver a dramatic monologue like the best of them, but the overall series was at its best when he was able to take advantage of his youthful exuberance. With Capaldi stepping in to the role, Moffat will be able to make the Doctor more introspective, more aware of his actions. And since age equals experience, audiences are more likely to believe it, thus allowing Moffat to more earnestly explore the weighted past of everyone’s favorite Time Lord without having to worry about writing “run, you clever boy” all too often.

And after this season, perhaps a change will be good for the series overall. In Doctor Who season 7, though it had quite a few fantastic, standalone episodes, the overall story-arc was weak , and the use of editing tricked audiences into believing that answers to long-standing questions were going to come in the next episode (and they never did ). So while some may not yet be on board with Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor, everyone should be excited about the fact that Moffat and Co. have a new muse, allowing them to take the character in many new directions that they previously couldn’t. Still, fans of Smith have the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary and the Doctor Who Christmas Special left, allowing everyone some time to get used to the fact that he will no longer be on the series. And though no one really knows what to expect from the upcoming, final adventures with the Doctor, Moffat surely won’t disappoint. [poll id=”656″] Dr Who change divides upset fans Email a friend ON the 800th episode of Dr Who, viewers were divided by how Matt Smith regenerated into the next Doctor - were you crying too?

Many fans were in tears while watching Smith leave their screens and hand over the role and Tardis to the next Doctor, Peter Capaldi. Many thought it may have been too complex, others think Capaldi is too old for the role. Millions who watched the regeneration expressed their feelings on Twitter, and the show's loyal Whovians did not hold back. Here are some of the moments viewers talked about most on social media. What did you think of the Dr Who Christmas special? Tell us below: 1. Was it a fitting send off for Matt Smith? Some say it was short but sweet, others think that Smith should have stayed on, but whether it was time for Matt Smith to go or not - it was inevitable. Many are devastated he left, and some even thought the complex plot overshadowed the contribution he made to the show. Among one of many review pieces for and against the Christmas special posted online, Hypable.com wrote : "The Time of the Doctor was an opportunity for the team to give a proper send off to the character we have loved since 2010, and the fantastic actor who has played him. News_Image_File: The final episode of Dr Who with Matt Smith.

Picture: Facebook.com/drwho To ignore the contribution of Smith to the series is at best ignorant, at worst insensitive and callous. We can pretend that this episode should have been plot-focused, but we completely believe that a Doctor's final episode should showcase them as the focus, not as an afterthought." Hollywoodlife.com also reviewed the show, saying Smith had to go. " ... the storylines had grown stale and, due to the poor writing quality, Eleven's relationship with Clara never quite blossomed like the one he had with Amy," the site said. But many fans on social media still thought the final episode was a fitting farewell. His name and Peter Capaldi continued to trend on Twitter alongside the hashtag #Doctorwho after the episode aired. So re-watched the Doctor Who Christmas special as the family put it on mute last night. Cried my eyes out at the end. Will miss Matt Smith — Rebecca ₪ ø lll ·o. (@Bex717) December 26, 2013 Can we just marvel at how Matt Smith's name has been trending for ages.

Shows just how much we love him <3 #ThankYouMattSmith — Matt Smith (@WholockSavedMe) December 26, 2013 I would have like Matt Smith to have done 1 more season just to see more of his #Drwho interact with Clara. — Roxanne Brewer (@brewerroxanne) December 25, 2013 2. Should Clara be left out from the show? When Clara called The Doctor in desperation at the start of the episode (and it was blatantly obvious she is still in love with him) to get him to Christmas dinner with her parents as her "boyfriend", he left her twice to try to protect her from his fate as he learned Gallifrey and the other Time Lords could return using a crack in the wall in a small town called Christmas - a time field seen in the Eleventh Doctor's first episode. The Doctor was prepared to stay and save Christmas and the planet of Trenzalore. But he didn't think he could protect Clara and sent her back home without her knowledge. Watching them reunite was a real talking point. Some love her. Clara is definately my favourite companion! Strong, Smart and doesnt whinge about anything!

#JennaColemanIsAwesome #DoctorWho — I'm a Timelord... (@doctorwho_k9) December 26, 2013 On the other hand, some questioned her role, and if she should be replaced. Also I still don't care about Clara. I don't know why but I'm still pretty meh about her #doctorwho — Sam Downing (@samwdowning) December 26, 2013 3. Is the new Doctor believable? When Smith left our screens and regenerated to the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, many were wondering if he was the right fit for the role. For starters, he used a Scottish accent, and many have speculated over whether this should be a permanent part of the character in the next series. The Glaswegian is the third Scot to play the part after Sylvester McCoy and David Tennant. Fans were intrigued after Capaldi, 55, refused to say in advance whether his Doctor would have a Scots voice. He said: "Doctor Who goes to lots of different places, sometimes he has to be in disguise.

It could be any accent." But last night his Scots accent was loud and clear when he said: "I have got new kidneys - I don't like the colour." As the show ended with him grappling with the Tardis controls, he added: "Just one question, do you happen to know how to fly this thing?" Many were still suffering withdrawals from Smith, while others welcomed Capaldi. Thank you Matt Smith for being an incredible Doctor, we will never forget you pic.twitter.com/VK8mCldxJu — Thank you Matt (@TheDeductionGod) December 26, 2013 I can't wait for Peter Capaldi's series, but most of all I can't wait to see his costume. — Thank you Matt Smith (@sidraTFT) December 26, 2013 4. Watching the 11th Dr age was a heartbreaker After Clara returned to the Doctor's side, she found him looking young again - but beneath his youthful exterior, he was dying. "We all change. When you think about it, we're all different people all through our lives," he said.

"And that's OK, that's good, as long as you keep moving, as long as you remember all the people that you used to be. I will not forget one line of this, not one day, I swear. I will always remember when the Doctor was me." Fans were moved by the moment as Clara had no choice but to say farewell to the love of her life. They paid tribute to Smith as he bowed out of the episode. It was the day after Christmas and a through the house not a creature was stirring expect for me sobbing in the corner because MATT SMITH — G∆LL1FRΣY (@GALL1FR3Y) December 26, 2013 This just broke my heart into a billion pieces and scattered them through all time and space. Goodbye Matt Smith pic.twitter.com/EBrmXP0RLO — Raggedy man, goodbye (@AdrixGreenDay) December 26, 2013 5. A final moment for Dr Who fans and their "Raggedy man" Before The Doctor regenerated, there was a poignant moment where he remembered his first companion, the first face he saw in this body: Amy Pond.

In a surprise appearance, actor Karen Gillan returned for a cameo as Amy, to say, "Raggedy man, good night." He then took his bow tie off. And at this point, Whovians worldwide sobbed again. The terms 'Raggedy Man' and 'Raggedy man goodnight' trended on Twitter after the show. "Raggedy Man, goodnight" the perfect way to end a fairytale — The M0ffat Minion (@Wh0viansUnited) December 26, 2013 "Raggedy man, goodnight." pic.twitter.com/JOqWPEYkaA — Thank you, Matt (@PondsAreCool) December 25, 2013 You were brilliant, Matt Smith! Raggedy man... goodnight. #DoctorWho #TimeOfTheDoctor pic.twitter.com/cTEwYnXYD4 — Jimmy Margenau (@jimmytool) December 26, 2013 Go behind the scenes of the Christmas special below: News_Rich_Media: Dr Who behind the scenes

Question: Who replaced Matt Smith to become the latest Dr Who?
Answer: Peter Capaldi